Humidifier

ABSTRACT

A humidifier for mounting in the plenum of a forced air heater and/or conditioner comprising an elongated U-shaped pan horizontally mounted in the plenum with an upwardly and slightly inwardly inclined U-shaped filter member supported therein. A spray nozzle for generating a wide-angle, flat spray is supported in the plenum opposite the filter member to direct a liquid spray across the plenum and onto the filter member transverse to air flowing upwardly in the plenum. The spray is designed to have a velocity and density relative to the upwardly flowing air sufficient to redirect the air into and through the filter member.

United States atent n91 Lowe 1 1 HUMIDIFIER [76] Inventor: Ronald C.Lowe, 23203 Via Calisero, Valencia,-Calif. 91355 22 Filed: Nov. 24, 197121 App1.No.: 201,938

[52] US. Cl. 261/101, 126/113, 261/69 R, 261/118, 26l/DIG. 15 [51] Int.Cl BOlf 3/04 [58] Field of Search. 126/113; 26l/DIG. 15, 95, 98,261/101-104, 118, 69 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS1,692,816 11/1928 Chamberlain 126/113 1,972,001 8/1934 Witham, Jr. eta1.. 1. 239/549 2,319,119 5/1943 Feinberg 261/98 X 2,557,042 6/1951Wo011ey..... 261/104 X 2,766,714 10/1956 Hammers 261/118 X 2,845,9448/1958 Bock, Jr 126/113 X 3,102,531 9/1963 Gross 261/DIG. 15

3,635,210 l/l972 Morrow 126/113 3,689,037 9/1972 Payne 126/113 X 1451Feb. 12, 1974 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 672,979 10/1963 Canada126/113 Primary ExaminerTim R. Miles Assistant ExaminerRichard L. ChiesaAttorney, Agent, or FirmI-Iarris, Kern, Wallen &

Tinsley ABSTRACT A humidifier for mounting in the plenum of a forced airheater and/or conditioner comprising an elongated U-shaped panhorizontally mounted in the plenum with an upwardly and slightlyinwardly inclined U- shaped filter member supported therein. A sprayn02- zle for generating a wide-angle, flat spray is supported in theplenum opposite the filter member to direct a liquid spray across theplenum and onto the filter member transverse to air flowing upwardly inthe plenum, The spray is designed to have a velocity and densityrelative to the upwardly flowing air sufficient to redirect the air intoand through the filter member.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures HUMIDIFIER DISCLOSURE The present inventionrelates to humidifiers and more particularly to a novel humidifierconstruction for easy assembly and mounting in the plenum of a forcedair heater and/or conditioner.

While forced air heaters are relatively efficient heating apparatus,they have the effect of greatly reducing the relative humidity in thestructures heated thereby. Generally speaking, it is the function ofhumidifiers to raise the relative humidity in such structures to morecomfortable and medically preferred levels. In this regard, medicalreports show that proper humidity levels are a significant factor inguarding against the common cold and other respiratory infections.Further, proper humidity levels protect furniture and other personalarticles against excessive drying and cracking.

Basically, there are commercially available today three different typesof humidifiers, to wit: the traditional plate type, the rotary drum orwheel type, and the spray type. The plate type comprises a shallow opentank having a plurality of filter plates mounted in and extendingvertically therefrom. The tank is partially filled with water to immersea bottom portion of each of the plates. Water is drawn upwardly into theplates and dry hot air is directed over the plates to transfer moisturethereto.

' The rotary type of humidifier comprises an open tank in which ismounted a drum or wheel of filter material. The tank is partially filledwith water to cover a lower portion of the drum or wheel. The drum orwheel is continuously rotated on a motor driven shaft. This insureswater saturation of an upper portion of the drum which is exposed to astream of dry hot air to transfer moisture thereto.

Spray-type humidifiers generally comprise a nozzle connected to a watersupply for producing a high velocity fine mist spray through which dryhot air from the forced air heater is directed. The air absorbs most ofthe moisture from the mist to raise the level of relative humidity ofthe air transported through the forced air heating system.

Unfortunately, each of the commercially available types of humidifierspossesses serious disadvantages and limitations. For example, the platetype humidifiers require repeated attention to replace water in thetank. This can be a particularly annoying problem when the humidifier isin a difficult-to-reach area. Further, in mounting the tank must belevel to insure that all of the plates are sufficiently immersed inwater and that the water will not spill from the tank during filling tothe desired level. In addition, the filter plates tend to rapidly clogwith lime and other deposits from the water. They also are subject tocorrosion. When the plates are clogged or corroded, plate-typehumidifiers are nearly useless.

Rotary type humidifiers, on the other hand are rather expensive andusually present a severe restriction to air passing therethrough. Also,they require repeated servicing to refill the water tank. Moreover, themoving parts of such humidifiers are subject to corrosion and attack bylime deposits which impair their efficient operation.

In the spray-type humidifier, impurities in the water mist are carriedby the air into the structure serviced by the forced air heater and aredeposited on furniture and the like leaving a whitish film. Further, notall of the water in the spray is absorbed by the moving air. Some isdeposited in the ducts supporting the spray nozzle to cause problems ofpossible corrosion and leakage into the interior of the structure. I

All of the foregoing types of humidifiers possess another importantlimitation in that they require careful preadjustment or selection byskilled personnel, if the desired relative humidity is to be achieved inareas serviced thereby. In this regard, the selection, preadjustment,and installation of a humidifier of proper size and capacity presentlyinvolves careful advanced mathematical calculations in terms of ductsize, furnace plenum temperature, air velocity, and room size. Suchcalculations generally require a humidification or air conditioningexpert and materially increase the costs of such humidifiers and theirinstallation.

Further, in the Western United States, homes do not have basements wherethe furnaces may be conveniently located. Rather, forced air furnacesand air conditioners have been relegated to isolated areas such asclosets, attics, rooftops, and the like. Such areas are hard to reachand severely increase the difficulty of installing and servicingpresently available humidifiers.

Moreover, the plenum and ducts of forced air heaters are of varioussizes and shapes. Since present day humidifiers are of a fixed size andnot adjustable, this means that humidifier manufacturers must produce arelatively large line of humidifiers to fit the various forms of heatingsystem configurations.

In view of the foregoing, it is a general object of the presentinvention to provide simple and economical apparatus for efficientlyraising to desired levels the relative humidity in forced air heatingsystems without requiring the use of water storing tubs, rotating orotherwise moving parts, and without materially restricting the flow ofair in the plenum and ducts of such heating systems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a relativelyinexpensive, trouble-free and long-lasting humidifier which is simple instructure and is easily installed in the plenum of forced air heatersand/or conditioners.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier ofthe foregoing character which presents a minimum resistance to air flow.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a humidifierof the foregoing character which is manually adjustable for readyinstallation in the plenum of forced air heaters of all sizes and shapesby unskilled personnel and which may be easily installed in plenums ofheaters located in difficult to reach and isolated areas.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide ahumidifier for mounting in the plenum of a forced air heater comprisingan elongated pan mounted horizontally in the plenum with a filter memberextending upwardly therefrom for receiving water in the form of a spraytransversing the plenum from a nozzle with a velocity and densitysufficient to redirect upwardly flowing air into and through the filtermember.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier ofthe foregoing character wherein the pan is shaped to direct air upwardlyalong opposite sides of the filter member to assist in the transfer ofmoisture from the filter to the upwardly flowing air.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier ofthe foregoing character wherein the pan and nozzle are laterally andangularly adjustable to insure that the resultant vector of the upwardlyflowing air is through the filter member.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention may be moreclearly understood by reference to the following detailed description,when considered with the drawing, which, by way of example only,illustrates one form of humidifier embodying the features of the presentinvention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a humidifier embodying the features of thepresent invention taken along the line l1 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the humidifier of FIG. 1 taken along the line2-2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view'of a head of a nozzleincluded in the humidifier taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

Generally speaking, the humidifier of the present invention comprises anelongated pan mounted horizontally in the plenum 12 of a forced airheater with a filter member 14 extending upwardly therefrom and facing anozzle 16. The nozzle is inclined upwardly at an acute angle to thehorizontal and is designed to produce a wide-angle, flat water sprayacross the plenum and onto the filter member 14 transverse to dry hotair flowing upwardly in the plenum. The spray possesses a velocity anddensity relative to the upwardly flowing air sufficient to redirect theair into, through, and along the filter member 14. As droplets of waterin the spray and in the filter come into intimate engagement with thedry hot air, moisture is transferred thereto to produce an air stream ofincreased relative humidity for distribution by the forced air heatingsystem.

More specifically, in the illustrated form of the invention, the pan 10and filter member 14 are generally U- shaped in plan, with the pancomprising inner and outer side walls 18 and 20 joined along a loweredge 22 and extending upwardly therefrom. As illustrated in FIG. 2, theside walls 18 and 20 are somewhat concavo-convex in cross section. Thus,air flowing upwardly in the plenum l2 and engaging the pan is directedby the side walls upwardly along inner and outer surfaces of the filtermember 14 to increase the interaction and contact between the air andthe water contained in the filter member.

Opposite ends of the U-shaped pan 10 are closed by end members 24 and 26having horizontal bores 28 and 30 for slidably receiving horizontalsupport arms 32,

and 34. The support arms are secured by blocks 36 and 38 to a base plate40 which anchors the humidifier to the plenum 12. Thus supported on thearms 32 and 34, the pan 10 may be moved and prepositioned in the plenumat predetermined locations relative to the nozzle 16. To secure the panin such positions, hand-turnable set screws 42 and 44 extend into theblocks 24 and 26 to engage and releasably lock against sides'of the arms32 and 34 (See FIG. 1).

The U-shaped filter member 14 is preferably formed of a polyethyleneplastic mesh capable of developing an electrostatic charge in responseto air flowing therethrough. A bottom 46 of the filter member rests onthe inner side wall 18 of the pan to vertically support the filter inthe pan to extend upwardly through an open top thereof. Further supportfor the filter member is provided by a pair of hook members 47 and 48.The hook members extend through downwardly inclined holes in the endmembers 24 and 26 to hook into openings 50 and 52 in the filter memberadjacent the bottom 46. Opposite ends of the hook member are threaded toreceive wing nuts 54 and 56 for tightening against ends of the members24 and 26 to secure the filter member in place. It bears noting that thefilter member 14 is inclined upwardly and slightly inwardly from thevertical at about a 9 angle. Thus, the filter member forms a hollowsubstantially semifrustoconical member having an inner surface facingthe nozzle 16.

The nozzle 16 includes a head 58 having a central port 60 terminating ina vertically narrow, horizontally wide and outwardly angled mouth 62(see FIG. 3). The head 58 is connected to a length of flexible tubing 64passing through a vertically elongated slot 66 in the base plate 40 forconnection to apparatus 68 for supplying water to the nozzle 16. Theflexible tubing 64 may be moved vertically by hand in the slot 66 topreadjust the height and angle of the nozzle in the humidifier relativeto the height of the filter member 14 and its displacement from thenozzle. In this regard, it is important that the nozzle 16 bepreadjusted to an angle and height such that the resultant vector of airflowing upwardly into the open bottom of the semifrustoconical filtermember is through the filter member. Stated differently, it is importantthat for a given velocity and density of spray, the nozzle angle andheight be preadjusted relative to the filter member such that the sprayacts as an inclined top or roof for a cavity defined by the spray andthe inner surface of the filter member to direct the upwardly flowingair through the filter member. Once proper positioning of the nozzle 16is achieved, it may be secured in placeby tightening a screw 72 passingthrough a washer 74, base plate 40, and into' a half-washer 76supporting the underside of the tubing 64 within the plenum.

As illustrated in the drawing, the water supplying apparatus 68 issupported by the base plate 40 and comprises an elbow 78, a solenoidoperated valve 80 and a pressure regulator 82 all of conventional designand connected in series with the tubing 64. The solenoid actuated valve80 is secured to the base plate 40 with the winding of its solenoidconnected in series circuit with a master control switch and source ofpower (not shown) and a normally open sail switch 84. The sail switch iscontrolled by a movable arm 86 extending through the base plate 40 andsupporting a sail 88 within the plenum 12.

In operation, the master control switch is closed. Air flowing upwardlyin the plenum then strikes the sail 88 causing upward movement of arm 86and closure of the sail switch 84. This completes the series circuitthrough the solenoid winding to open the valve 80. As this occurs, waterfrom a hose connected to the elbow 78 flows through the valve and intothe pressure regulator 82. In the regulator, the water pressure iscontrolled to a value determined by the position of an adjustment knob90 and indicated on a guage 92. The water then flows from the regulator80 through the tubing 64 to the nozzle 16 for dispensing as a flat sprayof predetermined velocity, density, and angle. In this regard, it bearsnoting that control of the fluid pressure by the regulator 82 changesnot only the spray velocity but also its angle or width. At and above agiven pressure, water flows outwardly through the central port 60 in thehead 58 and follows the inclined side walls of the mouth 62 to produce aspray of maximum angle. As water pressure is reduced below thepredetermined value, the water does not follow the angled wall of themouth 62, thereby reducing the angle and width of the spray.

The adjustability of the quantity, angle and width of the sprayemanating from the nozzle 16 by manual control of the knob 90, combinedwith the adjustability of the pan l0 and the angle and height of thenozzle 16 are extremely important features of the invention. Theyprovide means for changing the size and capacity of the humidifier andenable it to be easily mounted in plenums of various sizes and shapes byunskilled installers. Further, after mounting, the foregoing featurespermit the humidifier to be accurately adjusted during operation to acondition of maximum efficiency and to a condition where the desiredhumidity is achieved in the area serviced by the humidifier. All thismay be accom-. plished without the services of humidification or airconditioning experts and without the need for careful mathematicalcalculations to determine in advance the optimum size and capacity ofthe humidifier.

With regard to the foregoing, the humidifier of the present inventionincorporates a removable transparent window 70 in the plenum immediatelyabove the base plate 40. With the humidifier mounted in the plenum andin operation, the installer simply views the operation of the humidifierthrough the transparent window. By viewing the operation of thehumidifier through the window and noting the flow of spray across theplenum and the quantity of water dripping down the filter member andinto the pan, the installer can simply and quickly determine whether ornot the humidifier is properly adjusted to produce the desired degree ofrelative humidity in the area being serviced. If it is not, he mayregulate the quantity and width of spray emanating from the nozzle 16 byturning the control knob or he may remove the window and move the pan l0and hence the filter member 14 toward or away from the nozzle. Further,after remounting the window in the plenum, the installer may angularlyraise or lower the nozzle while monitoring the operation of thehumidifier through the window until the resultant vector of air flowingupwardly into the open bottom of the semifrustoconical filter member isthrough the filter member.

As to the removability of the window 70, the window 70 and the baseplate 40 are mounted by like means to a side wall of the plenum 12. Suchmounting means is designed for quick installation and for easy removalof the base plate and window. Since the mounting means are the same,only that associated with the base plate 40 will be described in detail.

As illustrated, the mounting means comprises four U-shaped channelbrackets 94a, b, c, and d. The brackets are loosely connected to thebase plate 40 along the four edges thereof by self-tapping screws 96extending through holes in the extreme inside edge of each channel. Thescrews 96 securing the bracket 94a along an upper edge of the base platepass through vertically elongated holes to permit the bracket to bemoved vertically below and above an upper edge of the base plate. In alike manner, the screws 96 securing the bracket 94b along a right edgeof the base plate pass through horizontally elongated holes to permitthe bracket to move laterally inside and outside the right edge of thebase plate.

With the brackets thus attached to the base plate, it is a simple matterto secure the base plate 40 to the plenum l2. This is accomplished bymoving the brackets 94a and 94b inside the upper and right edges of thebase plate 40 and by slipping the brackets through a base platereceiving opening 98 in the plenum with the base plate positioned, asillustrated in FIG. 2. Next the screws 96 carrying the brackets 94a and94b are moved outwardly to properly position the brackets and all screwstightened to grip the side wall of the plenum between the brackets and amarginal edge of the base plate.

The removal of the base plate 40 (and window is likewise a simplematter. All that is required is a loosening of the screws 96 and amovement of the brackets 94a and 94b inside the upper and right edges ofthe base plate. The plate may then be moved from the plenum.

By way of summary, with the base plate 40 and window 70 mounted in placeby the brackets 94 and screws 96, and with the humidifier componentsproperly adjusted, the humidifier is started by closing the mastercontrol switch. Dry hot air flowing upwardly in the plenum 12 theneffects a closure of the sail switch 84 to complete an electricalcircuit to the solenoid actuated valve opening the valve. Water flowsthrough the valve; pressure regulator 82 to the nozzle 16. At thenozzle, the water is directed as a flat, wide-angle spray across theplenum and onto the inner surface of the filter member 14. The velocityand density of the spray is sufficient to redirect the upwardly flowingair in the plenum .into, through, and along the filter member wheremoisture is transferred to the air to increase the relative humiditythereof. Any water not absorbed by the air flows downwardly within thefilter member 14 for depositing in the pan 10. A drain is connected tothe pan and extends through the base plate 40 to a collecting tray or toa hose for transport from the humidifier.

Further, as the air passes through the filter member, minerals aretrapped and not allowed to travel with the treated air for distributionby the forced air heating system. In this regard, the flow of spray tothe filter member and downward migration of water therethrough effects acontinuous washing of the filter member to maintain it free of suchmineral deposits.

In addition, the streamlined nature of the pan l0 and upwardly inclineddesign of the filter member 14 presents a minimum restriction to airflow in the forced air heating system. This is true whether thehumidifier is functioning as a humidifier with the spray flowing fromthe nozzle or simply as an electrostatic filter, as when water is notbeing dispensed by the nozzle. In such a case, the electrostatic chargebuilt up by air flowing over the filter member attracts foreignparticles from the air to filter the air of contaminants.

In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the presentinvention provides a simple and economical apparatus for efficientlyraising to desired levels of relative humidity in forced air heatingsystems without requiring the use of water storing tubs, rotating orotherwise moving parts and without materially restricting the flow ofair in the plenum and ducts of such heating systems. Moreover, thehumidifier of the present invention is relatively inexpensive,trouble-free, and longlasting and may be adjusted for easy installationin the plenum of forced air heaters of all sizes and shapes.

While a particular humidifier structure has been described in somedetail herein, it is appreciated that changes and modifications may bemade therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. It istherefore intended that the present invention be limited in scope onlyby the terms of the following claims.

I claim: 1. A humidifier for mounting in the plenum of a forced airheater and/or conditioner comprising:

an elongated pan having an open top; means for horizontally mountingsaid pan in said plenum; an open top filter member extending verticallyfrom said open top of said pan; nozzle means for producing a highvelocity wideangle, liquid spray; means including pressure regulatingmeans for supplying liquid to said nozzle means to produce a nonvaryingliquid spray; and means for mounting said nozzle means in said plenumadjacent an inner wall thereof facing said filter member to direct saidhigh-velocity liquid spray only across said plenum and onto said filtermember transverse to air flowing upwardly in said plenum, said sprayhaving a velocity and density relative to said upwardly flowing airsufficient to redirect portions of said air into, through, and upwardlyalong said filter member. 2. The humidifier of claim 1 wherein saidmeans for mounting said pan and means for mounting said nozzle means aremanually adjustable and provide independent adjustment of the horizontalposition of said pan and vertical adjustment of the angle of said liquidspray respectively and wherein said pressure regulating means is handadjustable, whereby said pan, filter member, nozzle, and pressureregulator may be adjusted relative to the velocity of said upwardlyflowing air to insure that a resultant vector of said air is throughsaid filter member.

3. The humidifier of claim 1 wherein: said pan and said filter memberare generally U- shaped in plan; said nozzle means includes a headhaving a wide mouth port for producing a wide-angle, flat liquid spray;and

said means for mounting said nozzle means supports 5. The humidifier ofclaim 3 wherein said filter member inclines upwardly and slightlyinwardly from a base thereof in said open top of said pan to define ahollow substantially semifrustoconical member.

1. A humidifier for mounting in the plenum of a forced air heater and/orconditioner comprising: an elongated pan having an open top; means forhorizontally mounting said pan in said plenum; an open top filter memberextending vertically from said open top of said pan; nozzle means forproducing a high velocity wide-angle, liquid spray; means includingpressure regulating means for supplying liquid to said nozzle means toproduce a nonvarying liquid spray; and means for mounting said nozzlemeans in said plenum adjacent an inner wall thereof facing said filtermember to direct said high-velocity liquid spray only across said plenumand onto said filter member transverse to air flowing upwardly in saidplenum, said spray having a velocity and density relative to saidupwardly flowing air sufficient to redirect portions of said air into,through, and upwardly along said filter member.
 2. The humidifier ofclaim 1 wherein said means for mounting said pan and means for mountingsaid nozzle means are manually adjustable and provide independentadjustment of the horizontal position of said pan and verticaladjustment of the angle of said liquid spray respectively and whereinsaid pressure regulating means is hand adjustable, whereby said pan,filter member, nozzle, and pressure regulator may be adjusted relativeto the velocity of said upwardly flowing air to insure that a resultantvector of said air is through said filter memBer.
 3. The humidifier ofclaim 1 wherein: said pan and said filter member are generally U-shapedin plan; said nozzle means includes a head having a wide mouth port forproducing a wide-angle, flat liquid spray; and said means for mountingsaid nozzle means supports said nozzle means at an upward acute angle tothe horizontal such that said flat liquid spray acts as an upwardlyinclined substantially air impervious top of a cavity defined by saidspray and an inner surface of said filter member for redirecting saidupwardly flowing air through said filter member.
 4. A humidifier ofclaim 2 wherein said pan includes inner and outer sidewalls joined alonga lower edge and extending upwardly therefrom, said sidewalls beingsubstantially concavo-convex in cross section to direct air engagingsaid pan upwardly along inner and outer surfaces of said filter member.5. The humidifier of claim 3 wherein said filter member inclinesupwardly and slightly inwardly from a base thereof in said open top ofsaid pan to define a hollow substantially semifrustoconical member.